Advocates Say California Could Be Friendlier for Women

While California is typically viewed as a liberal state, advocates says there are still things that could be done to make it friendlier toward women.

Kate Karpilow is Executive Director of The California Center for Research on Women and Families, which helps develop policy objectives.

“It seems to me that the women’s movement may not be as prominent as it used to be, 20 years ago," she said. "But, certainly, there’s still a need, with the changing media, with the changing institutions, to looks at things with a gendered lens, because there are still deep divisions and a need to provide equal opportunities.”

Karpilow said legislation is pending that would address the backlog of untested rape kits in California and address poverty and compliance with Title IX.

His resignation followed an outside investigation, which found that Mendoza likely engaged in "flirtatious or sexually suggestive" behavior with six different women, including former staffers and fellows. The allegations date back to 2007.